13 Best Car Seats for Extended Rear Facing

As parents we all know that our kids will spend plenty of their growing years in a car seat. From the moment we find out we are expecting until our children are driving off in their own cars, car seat safety is at the forefront of every parents mind. With so many car seats on the market, parents are often consumed with deciding which is not only safest, but best fits the needs of their growing family. Since many states now require that children are seated rear facing until at least age 2, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children rear face until they reach the highest weight and height allowed by their car seat, more and more seats are available.

Here are Daily Mom's 13 best rear facing car seats for extended use.

Diono Radian 3RXT All-In-One Convertible Car Seat allows children to ride rear facing from birth or 5 pounds to 45 pounds. With additional seating capabilities this is literally the only seat you will ever needs as it has maximum convertible options comfortably seating children up to 120 pounds. Diono's car seats are designed with a fully integrated steel frame for maximum impact protection. Further, their unique rear-facing tether helps reduce seat rotation during a collision.

Providing excellent rear facing protection from 4-50 pounds, the Graco Extend2Fit also provides an extension panel that allows for an additional 5 inches of leg room for comfortable extended rear facing. With 6 different reclining positions for ultimate comfort and growth and an EZ Tight latch system for simple and secure installation, the Graco Extend2Fit is an excellent option for an extended rear facing car seat.

Offering the best of both world's with extended rear facing and the ability to fit in compact spaces the Clek Fllo Convertible car seat can meet all your child's needs. This car seat features a width just under 17 inches making it ideal for fitting in even the most compact seats. Further, with an extended rear facing weight of 50 pounds and a steel anti-rebound bar for rear facing safety, the Fllo offers optimal performance. With their unique EACT safety technology and car seat recycling program, Clek is a brand to love when it comes to extended use car seats.

This affordable and well-designed car seat from Safety 1st offers extended rear facing use for children up to 50 pounds. With 360 degrees of protection and the patented QuickFit system which allows for easy adjustments for up to 10 positions of the harness and headrest with one hand, this car seat is safe and easy to use.

Featuring extended rear facing capabilities for children up to 45 pounds, this Italian made car seat uses only the best materials for extended use and protection in every way. With 10 adjustable height positions, even with the child in the seat, kinetic pods that help move forces away from your child in the case of a collision, and a fully integrated anti-rebound bar that offers additional protection by reducing rotation and increases your child's legroom by 2 inches for comfort when extended rear facing, this car seat is keeps your little one comfortable and correctly positioned throughout use.

Perfect for everywhere life takes you, the Diono Radian 3RX is ready to travel with you and your most precious cargo. Featuring all of Diono's safety measures we know and love, the all new Radian 3RX fits 3 across in most midsize vehicles, is aircraft certified in harness mode, and folds flat for easy transport during travel. Of course, it also provides extended rear facing capabilities for children from 5-45 pounds.

This 4-in-1 convertible carseat gives you superior protection and use for your child for 10 years. Designed for use with children weighing 4-120 pounds this multi-mode capable car seat will allow you to literally be one and done when it comes to car seat safety. With an easy 1 step latch attachment and rear facing use up to 40 pounds with forward facing options including the use of the 5 point harness, a high back booster with seat belt, and booster with seat belt, this is the only seat you will ever need.

With 7 reclining positions for comfort and safety, the Britax Marathon features rear facing capabilities up to 40 pounds. The simple ClickTight system makes installation easy, and with a 14 position harness that is easily adjustable without any re-threading necessary, the Britax Marathon will meet your little one's car seat needs.

Chicco's NextFit iX Zip Convertible car seat features 9 reclining positions, an easy on/easy off machine washable cover, and rear facing capabilities of up to 40 pounds. The SuperCinch LATCH tightener provides for a force multiplying tight and secure fit, ensuring your child is safe and protected while in his or her car seat.

Their motto is "10 years of adventure. 1 carseat" which is true with the Maxi-Cosi Magellan 5-In-1 Convertible car seat. This seat provides superior safety with maximum comfort for children weighing 5-120 pounds. With 7 reclining positions, 3 torso adjustments, and 14 headrest options, the Maxi-Cosi car seat is designed using self-wicking, soft touch fabrics that are not only machine washable but guaranteed to keep your child cool and comfortable on even the longest car rides. Featuring adjustable side impact protection that grows with your child you will never need another car seat.

The CYBEX Sirona M is the only car seat featuring SensorSafe 2.0 technology that syncs to the caregivers phone keeping them updated on the child's wellbeing when secured properly in the car seat. This 12 position, easily adjustable convertible car seat provides rear facing protection for little ones 5-40 pounds and forward facing up to 65 pounds. With the Linear Side-Impact Protection system and an energy absorbing shell, the Sirona M is perfect for keeping the littlest ones in your family safe and secure.

Keep your most precious cargo safe and follow the law with these 13 best rear facing car seats perfect for extended use. When little ones are comfy and cozy in their car seat, in additional to being safe and secure, everyone can enjoy the ride whether traveling to the neighborhood grocery store or heading out on the next great adventure.

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Kristin is a Montessori Mama who spends her days working as a lawyer with at-risk youth and her nights chasing her 4 boys on their latest adventure. She spends a significant amount of time in the kitchen creating healthy, organic, and delicious meals for her family, reading books with her boys, and at the soccer fields. Aspiring to make a difference in lives of others one child at a time, Kristin is passionate about social justice, early literacy, and early childhood education. While she loves scarves and boots, Kristin lives at the world's most famous beach with her husband, kids, extended family, and enough pets to open a zoo.

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